India-Bahrain labour pact soon: Vayalar Ravi

Kottayam (Kerala), April 25 ((IANS) Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi, who is set to hold talks with visiting Bahrain Labour Minister Majid Al-Alawi, Friday said the proposed labour pact between the two countries would be inked soon. The details would be announced Saturday after discussions with the Bahrain minister, Ravi told reporters after arriving at Kumarakom, a popular tourist destination in Kottayam district.

“We have had the first round of discussions on the labour pact some time back and this is going to be the second round of talks,” Ravi said.

There are a record 280,000 Indians working in Bahrain and 80 percent are believed to be from Kerala.

Once the agreement comes into force, there would be a proper labour contract between the employer and the employee and the Indian embassy would play the role of a watchdog, Ravi explained.

India has signed similar agreements with the UAE and Kuwait to safeguard the interests of Indian working in those countries.